SAFE SUPPORTER BULLETIN
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Last week I watched in astonishment a YouTube clip that had recently been uploaded for the world to see. Since then over two million people have viewed the 8-minute clip. I’m sure it will be close to three million by the time you get to view it! I’m certainly not the easiest person to hoodwink but this was terribly convincing. It wasn’t a hoax as such nor was it clever computer trickery although many blogs suggested otherwise. Either way it was amazing and thought provoking in the largest possible way.

The clip is of an elephant using a fine-tipped paintbrush in its trunk. And not just a slap-on, Rolf Harris-type painting (for those that remember that lad), but a detailed portrait of another elephant. Stay with me, I’m not delusional. The elephant is not the only cumbersome Picasso-styled elephant to paint either. You see others carefully poised at the easel doing what seems like masterpiece paintings. They paint better than I ever have! The humongous animal at the centre of attention even includes a colourful flower carefully held in the trunk of the freshly painted portrait. The painting is no larger than A3 so the line art painting is rather delicate by comparison. Onlookers (including one with a video camera) were ecstatic seeing this firsthand as is audible in the clip. View the clip yourself before reading on.

A quick internet search however reveals it is more an elaborate circus trick than a self-aware elephant demonstrating their talent with paint, paper and artistic licence. In truth, it is more feasible to accept that elephants are known to remember over 100 commands and these particular elephants have been taught to woo the crowd. They are masters at that. Nothing has changed in my view of elephants other than they can do even more amazing things when they put their minds to it. I’m off for a painting class!
Anthony Terry
Director

PS: See you at the Big Paws Out! in Napier!

This email was sent by:
SAFE
PO Box 13 366
Christchurch, New Zealand
safe@safe.org.nz
 
 

THE BIG PAWS OUT!
NAPIER ALL SET TO GO!

The Big Paws Out! is only a few weeks away. This amazing event is set to attract several thousand concert-goers to celebrate our relationship with animals from 2pm on Saturday 19 April at the Soundshell in Napier. The free outdoor family concert features four awesome New Zealand musicians who have all donated their time in support of SAFE. More. . .


ROSE MEETS PATCHES.
RESCUED
FOR LIFE!
If not for the help of a few caring individuals, Rose and Patches would be two dead horses. Instead, they are now living in horsey bliss! The email reads: “Today was the start of a new life for Rose and Patches.” More. . .

UPCOMING STUFF
SAFE Invercargill Workshop - TONIGHT!
Tonight there will be an evening SAFE workshop run by SAFE’s Campaign Officer Sacha Dowell and local SAFE organisers. New people welcome. Call Sacha 021 186 4004 for more information.

Leafleting help needed in Hawke’s Bay
The small number of SAFE volunteers in Hawke’s Bay need more support to promote the upcoming Big Paws Out! event to the locals over the next few weeks. Email hawkesbay@safe.org.nz ASAP if you can help with distributing flyers.

SAFE FILM NIGHT
This month SAFE Christchurch will screen Dealing Dogs, a documentary about dogs sold by animal dealers to research labs and veterinary schools in the US. The film follows an undercover operation by Last Chance for Animals, an animal rights group who placed an investigator into a facility breeding dogs for animal testing. The film starts at 7pm, Thursday, 17 April, at SAFE, level 1, 145 Armagh Street.


CHRISTCHURCH COLLECTIONS
If you enjoyed collecting for SAFE during the annual appeal in December then this one’s for you! Starting 26 April SAFE will be organising monthly collections outside supermarkets around Christchurch to raise money for the LovePigs campaign. If you can collect for a few hours or are interested in helping at one of our other monthly collections, please email sacha@safe.org.nz

Safe centres active around New Zealand
Campaign officer Sacha Dowell reports on some of the things our wonderful SAFE volunteer groups around the country have been getting up to lately... More. . .

ANIMAL RIGHTS PODCAST
It’s called The V Word and each month four leading representatives from within the animal rights movement come together to chat, debate and inform listeners of their thoughts, ramblings and experiences of topical issues. Hosted by Aaron Koolen, co-founder of Meat Free Media, The V Word is New Zealand’s first animal rights podcast. More. . .

SAFE TALKERS
A new feature where you get to read the views, news and personal ramblings of key SAFE personnel. Veteran campaigner Hans Kriek shares his thoughts on the state of animals in society.

“Having been involved in animal rights for nearly three decades, nothing much surprises me when it comes to the many ways people manage to abuse animals. I have read dozens of books, hundreds of magazines and thousands of articles and seen many videos about human oppression of animals.” More. . .


  

10 APRIL 2008 #46



Last month cities around New Zealand and across the globe celebrated Earth Hour. If you’re thinking of joining the green revolution, why not do it in style? This bulletin SAFE has two unisex fair trade organic t-shirts to give away valued at $24.95 each thanks to Nature Spot

Nature Spot is a family based business whose philosophy is to promote environmental and social sustainability. Nature Spot takes great care in designing eco-friendly collections of luxurious organic cotton clothing. Check out Nature Spot’s website for more sustainable living items.

To enter the draw, email us your name, t-shirt size and delivery address.

Congratulations to our NZ Trees Please flax winner Grace Di Denia.

CRUELTY FREE SHOP SNEEK PEEKS
SAFE’s Cruelty Free shop is pleased to announce that they are now stocking vegan mineral makeup made in New Zealand. The range includes foundations, blushers, eye shadows, body shimmers, lipsticks, lip gloss, eyeliner pencils, mascara and synthetic brushes. More. . .


ANIMAL LAW PODCAST
Animal Law in Australasia: A New Dialogue is a project run by Peter Sankoff of the University of Auckland and Steven White of Griffith Law School in Brisbane, Australia. More ...